FORMER archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor said O'Brien should be allowed to decide for himself whether to take part in the voting process.

BRITAIN'S most senior Roman Catholic cleric should be allowed to help choose the next Pope despite facing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, the former archbishop of Westminster said today.

Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor expressed sadness at the claims - which are denied - which have been made against Cardinal Keith O'Brien, leader of the church in Scotland.

Three priests and a former priest have complained to the Vatican about behaviour towards them going back 30 years, according to the Observer. They are reported to be demanding Cardinal O'Brien's immediate resignation.

"The cardinal has denied the allegations, so I think we will just have to see how that pans out. There have been other cases which have been a great scandal to the church over these past years.

"I think the church has to face up - has faced up - to some of them very well indeed."

Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said it was up to Cardinal O'Brien - who is reported to have sought legal advice - "how he faces the allegations".

He pointed out that Cardinal O'Brien was due to retire when he turns 75 next month.

Asked whether the cardinal should still be able to go to the Vatican to take part in the selection of Pope Benedict's successor, Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said: "That is up to Cardinal O'Brien to decide... it will be up to him, and I think rightly so.

"The allegations have not been proved in any way, so he will have to decide whether he wants to go."

Cardinal O'Brien, who was born in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, has been the Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh since 1985.

He has been an outspoken opponent of plans to legalise same-sex marriage.

He has said he has not yet decided who should be elected as Pope during the conclave, which is expected to be held next month.